Twilight Time Blu-ray: The L-Shaped Room (1962)

This is a wonderful romantic drama that I feel is sadly
overlooked. It’s a film that has been lost by this generation of film lovers,
thankfully the company Twilight Time has resurrected this awesome film. I for
one love this movie. It’s based on the novel by Lynne Reid Banks and was
adapted for the screen by the director of the film. I think this film showcases amazing
acting. Wonderful chemistry between the actors and actresses. It’s a solid film
of dramatic means that showcase how to make a memorable film.

Starring the beautiful and amazing Leslie Caron. She was a
true goddess of film. Her stunning beauty along side her amazing acting
showcased perfection in film. The L-Shaped Room is no different for she shines
in total perfection. She has starred in some of the greats in films. From one
of her defining roles as Gigi in1958’s Gigi. To her character of Lili Daurier
in the 1953 film Lili. She starred in over 70 performances from film and TV.
Still acting today as of recently in 2017 in the TV series The Durrells in
Corfu.

The movie is about a 27-year-old French woman named Jane.
She has moved in to a boarding house in Notting Hill London. The room hints the
title of the film is an L-Shaped Room. She has many interactions with many
different styles of characters. She soon meets the character of Toby and they
end up having a romantic relationship. To make matters more dramatic is Jane is
pregnant and refuses to marry the father.

Also starring the amazing Tom Bell as the character of Toby.
He was a pure English actor that was a truly gifted performer in all that he
did. He was one of those actors that owned his roles and made you as the viewer
enjoy or become apart of that character he played. In his later years he played
in one of my all time favorite TV series. The amazing masterpiece TV show Prime
Suspect. He played the character of Sgt. Bill Otley. He always maintained a
perfection in his roles. I miss him greatly. He died in 2006 and I feel it was
a total devastating lose to the world of cinema. Throughout his long career he
acted in over 100 features of film and TV. He was a one of a kind and is greatly
missed by me. His performance in The L-Shaped Room is flawless.

This is directed by a multi-talented individual. He not only
directed films, but he was a writer of films and an actor in films. Starring in
such films as 1961’s action epic The Guns of Navarone. He not only wrote 1967’s
The Whisperers he also starred in it and directed it. He acted in over 42 films
and TV shows. He wrote over 30 films and TV shows. He directed 20 films, TV
shows and documentary’s. From 1965’s King Rat, 66’s The Wrong Box, 68’s Deadfall
and others. He was a solid director and The L-Shaped room is a prime example of
his directing ability.

Audio/Video:

My Rating: 5 out of 5

Once again, a mastery of perfection that only Twilight Time
can do. Crisp imagery and sound quality is perfection to the ears. This film
has never looked or sounded any better.

LANGUAGE: English

VIDEO: 1080p High Definition / 1.66:1

AUDIO: English 1.0 DTS-HD MA

SUBTITLES: English SDH

Extras:

My Rating: 3 out of 5

Isolated Music & Effects Track: This was a fantastic
listen by itself for the fact of who is behind it, John Barry Pendergast. A
master talented composer, conductor and musician of film. He has worked and
created some of the greatest film scores such as the brilliant masterpiece
Midnight Cowboy, Dances with Wolves, and might I add was the original person to
arrange and perform the iconic James Bond theme, on the very first James Bond
film, Dr. No. He through the span of his life won many awards, but also most
importantly won 5 Academy Awards for his excellence in film scores. Of those
five, two of those Oscars where for Born Free which has also been released as a
Special Edition Twilight Time Blu-ray, which you can read my review in the
Twilight Time section of this blog. He also did the music for another Twilight
Time Special Edition release The Chase. He brings the music behind the films
into a beauty of their own. Twilight Time did an amazing job honoring this master
on this special feature.

Audio Commentary with Film Historians Lem Dobbs, Julie
Kirgo, and Nick Redman. A wonderful listen by three amazing film historians.
The price of the Blu-ray is worth it just for this commentary. Having Julie
Kirgo and Nick Redman and Lem Dobbs together talking about a solid film is
truly an amazing gift for the lover of all things cinema.

Original Theatrical Trailer

Overall:

Highly recommend. I don’t say that lightly. This is a
perfect Blu-ray to experience. A solid film with dynamic, flawless acting. This
is a must own, must experience Special Edition Blu-ray. Twilight Time did
another amazing job. High class and high quality Audio and Video restoration. A perfected imagery and sound.

INFO:

Make sure you head over to www.screenarchives.com to buy all
the wonderful Twilight Time Blu-rays. The main page that gives you these
beautiful releases on top quality Special Editions.